Research Duos: Unveiling the Collaborative Essence of Research

Through an integrative literature review and theory adaption approach, this research aims to shed light on the efficacy of research partnerships and their implications for academic scholarship and knowledge production. Adapting the concept of creative duos to research activities presents a promising avenue for interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced productivity. This review explores the application of research partnerships, akin to creative duos, in academic contexts. Research duos involve pairs of scholars who collaborate closely to investigate specific topics, address complex problems, or advance knowledge within their respective fields. This paper delineates the characteristics and potential benefits of research duos, drawing parallels to creative partnerships in various artistic domains. Additionally, it examines the advantages and disadvantages of researching in duos, roles within partnerships, the possible role of artificial intelligence as a partner within a duo, and factors contributing to successful research collaborations and identifies best practices for forming and sustaining effective research duos. By recognizing duos as the fundamental unit of collaborative research, we can understand how their inherent strengths contribute to the effectiveness of larger groups, supporting efficient communication, strong interpersonal bonds, and clear organizational structures.